Apparatus for Dispensing a Metered Quantity of Liquor

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for dispensing liquor has a thimble of pre-determined volume with a valve-controlled inlet ( 12 ) from a container for liquor and an outlet ( 10 ) for the liquor, the connection between the container including a shear ( 28 ) one side of which is for flow of liquor into the thimble and the other for flow of air from the thimble into the container as liquor flows into the thimble, a valve-controlled air vent ( 50 ) for entry of air into the thimble to replace the liquor flowing out of the thimble, and the valves ( 14, 16 ) for the inlet from the container and the outlet for liquor being mounted on a common shaft ( 20 ) and arranged for the outlet ( 10 ) to be closed when the inlet ( 12 ) is open and vice versa.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a tot (or shot, or nip or peg) measuringdispenser for liquor and other liquids.

In this specification the term “tot” is also intended to mean theAmerican equivalent term “shot” or the term “nip” or “peg” as used insome other countries for a predetermined measured quantity of liquor.

BACKGROUND ART

A conventional tot measuring device includes a thimble of predeterminedvolume (for example 25 ml which corresponds to a typical tot measure forliquors). The thimble includes an inlet for the liquor from a containerand an outlet therefrom, both of which are controlled by suitable valvemeans. These valve means may be operated by electromagnetic,electro-optical or mechanical means. In the latter case the thimble maybe moved from a first position in which it is full, to a second limitingposition in which the full contents of the thimble are discharged. Thismovement may be actuated by the rim of a drinking tumbler so that thetot enters the tumbler ready for dilution with water or mixer. Thethimble then moves to its first position, during which it is refilledwith liquor for the next discharge.

As there is a tight fit between the inlet of the thimble and thecontainer, the liquor will only fill the thimble if the air therein isreleased above the level of the liquor in the container. An air vent hasbeen used for this purpose which extends to a position above the levelof liquor therein and to atmosphere. The level of liquor in the air ventcorresponds with the level of the liquor in the container so that whenthe thimble is discharged, the volume of liquor in the air vent is drawninto the outward flow, thus resulting in a total volume of tot in excessof the predetermined volume. As the level of the liquor in the containerdrops so does the level of liquor in the air vent with the result thatthe actual volume of the tot discharged becomes smaller as the contentof the container decreases. This may be a problem in some establishmentsand is also, in some countries, against the law as the total tot volumemay be in excess of a preordained volume.

To avoid this disadvantage it has been proposed (see South AfricanPatent Application 2004/4411) to provide a vent from the thimble toatmosphere and the container having a second bent leading from a lowlevel in the container to atmosphere. The lower end of the second ventdetermines the level of the liquor in the first vent, whatever the levelof the liquor is in the container. Thus an exact measure is alwaysobtained.

A problem can arise in bars, or other rooms in which the dispensingapparatus is located, when the business of the evening is closed and theair-conditioning system switched off. The ambient temperature rises andthe temperature, and therefore the pressure of the air above the levelof the liquor in the container, rises with the result that the level ofliquor in the second vent rises and may even overflow with concomitantloss and mess.

It is an object of the invention to provide apparatus which avoids or atleast greatly minimises this problem.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention apparatus for dispensing liquor includes acontainer and a thimble of predetermined volume having avalve-controlled inlet from the container and an outlet for liquor,characterised in that

-   -   the connection between the thimble and the container includes a        shear, one side of which is for flow of liquor into the thimble        and the other for flow of air from the thimble into the        container as liquor flows into the thimble;    -   a valve-controlled air vent for entry of air into the thimble to        replace the liquor flowing out of the thimble, and    -   the valves for the inlet from the container and the outlet for        liquor being mounted on a common shaft and arranged for the        outlet to be closed when the inlet is open and vice versa.

In one form of the invention the valve-controlled air vent isactivatable from the shaft and may include an arm connected to theshaft, the arm serving to raise or lower the stem of the valve accordingto the direction or movement of the shaft. Thus, the air vent must bepen when the thimble is discharging liquor, and closed when the thimbleis being filled.

The effective volume of the thimble, and thus the volume of liquor to bedischarged may be determined by means of interchangeable floats ofdifferent volumes which are locatable in the thimble.

The shear is preferably located in a passageway from the container tothe thimble and in a refinement of the invention the shear is offsetfrom the centre of the passageway so that the passage for liquor isgreater than that for air.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings which are sectional side views of apparatusaccording to the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 apparatus is shown in the position in which the outlet 10 forliquor is closed and the inlet 12 for liquor from a container (notshown) is open; while FIG. 2 shows the apparatus in the oppositemode-outlet open and inlet closed.

The corresponding valves 14, for the outlet and 16 for the inlet arecarried on a common shaft 20 which also carries a float 22—which, asdescribed above is of a volume calculated for a predetermined volume inthe thimble of liquor to be dispensed.

Although the apparatus may be adapted to operate manually orelectro-optically, it is preferred that the operation is by way of asolenoid 24.

The connection between the container and the thimble is a passageway 26which includes a shear 28 located off-centre as shown, the smallerpassage 30 being for air and the large 32 for liquor. Brackets 34maintain the shear in the correct position.

A foot 40 of the shear includes curved zones 42 for smooth passage ofliquor and air.

An air vent 50 is located to the side of the thimble and includes a rod52 having a cap 54 which seats on a washer 56—see FIG. 1. The lowerextremity of the rod has a narrow portion 58 which passes through anorifice 60 in an arm 62 which is directly attached to the shaft. The rodis biased to its closed position by a compression spring 66. In FIG. 1the air vent is closed, but in FIG. 2 the movement of the shaft causesthe arm to slide up the narrow portion of the rod until it engages theshoulder 68, thus causing the rod to be raised off the washer for air tobe permitted to escape.

The outlet 10 of the thimble is provided with tamperproof means 70 suchas a tamper nozzle, and may also be twisted to impart a swirling motionto the liquor on discharge.

1. Apparatus for dispensing liquor includes a container and a thimble ofpredetermined volume having a valve-controlled inlet from the containerand an outlet for liquor, characterised in that the connection betweenthe thimble and the container includes a shear, one side of which is forflow of liquor into the thimble and the other for flow of air from thethimble into the container as liquor flows into the thimble; avalve-controlled air vent for entry of air into the thimble to replacethe liquor flowing out of the thimble, and the valves for the inlet fromthe container and the outlet for liquor being mounted on a common shaftand arranged for the outlet to be closed when the inlet is open and weeversa.
 2. Apparatus for dispensing liquor according to claim 1characterised in that the valve controlled air vent is activatable fromthe shaft and may include an arm connected to the shaft, the arm servingto raise or lower the stem of the valve according to the direction ormovement of the shaft.
 3. Apparatus for dispensing liquor according toclaim 1 is characterised in that the effective volume of the thimble,and thus the volume of liquor to be discharged may be determined bymeans of interchangeable floats of different volumes which are locatablein the thimble.
 4. Apparatus for dispensing liquor according to claim 1characterised in that the shear is located in a passageway from thecontainer to thimble and in a refinement of the invention the shear isoffset from the centre of the passageway so that the passage for liquoris greater than that for air.
 5. Apparatus for dispensing liquoraccording to claim 1 characterised in that the shear has a foot withcurved zones corresponding with the liquor and air passages. 6.Apparatus for dispensing liquor according to claim 2 characterised inthat the effective volume of the thimble and thus the volume of liquorto be discharged may be determined by means of interchangeable floats ofdifferent volumes which are locatable in the thimble.
 7. Apparatus fordispensing liquor according to claim 2 characterised in that the shearis located in a passageway from the container to the thimble and in arefinement of the invention the shear is offset from the centre of thepassageway so that the passage for liquor is greater than that for air.8. Apparatus for dispensing liquor according to claim 3 charactertisedin that the shear is located in a passageway from the container to thethimble and in a refinement of the invention the shear is offset fromthe centre of the passageway so that the passage for liquor is greaterthan that for air.
 9. Apparatus for dispensing liquor according to claim2 characterised in that the shear has a foot with curved zonescorresponding with the liquor and air passages.
 10. Apparatus fordispensing liquor according to claim 3 characterised in that the shearhas a foot with curved zones corresponding with the liquor and airpassages.
 11. Apparatus for dispensing liquor according to claim 4characterised in that the shear has a foot with curved zonescorresponding with the liquor and air passages.